1832.] TIMIDITY OF SLAVES. 23 



April Hth. Leaving Socego, we rode to another estate on the 

 Bio Macile, which was the last patch of cultivated ground in that 

 direction. The estate was two and a half miles long, and tho 

 owner had forgotten how many broad. Only a very small picco 

 had been cleared, yet almost every acre was capable of yielding all 

 the various rich productions of a tropical land. Considering the 

 enormous area of Brazil, the proportion of cultivated ground can 

 scarcely be considered as anything, compared to that which is left 

 in the state of nature : at some future age, how vast a population 

 it will support! During the second day's journey we found the 

 road so shut up, that it was necessary that a man should go 

 ahead with a sword to cut away the creepers. The forest abounded 

 with beautiful objects ; among which the tree ferns, though not 

 large, were, from their bright green foliage, and the elegant 

 curvature of their fronds, most worthy of admiration. In tho 

 evening it rained very heavily, and although the thermometer stood 

 at 65, I felt very cold. As soon as the rain ceased, it was curious 

 to observe the extraordinary evaporation which commenced over 

 the whole extent of the forest. At the height of a hundred feet tho 

 hills were buried in a dense white vapour, which rose like columns 

 of smoke from the most thickly wooded parts, and especially from 

 the valleys. I observed this phenomenon on several occasions : I 

 suppose it is owing to the large surface of foliage, previously heated 

 by the sun's rays. 



While staying at this estate, I was very nearly being an eye- 

 witness to one of those atrocious acts which can only take place in 

 a slave country. Owing to a quarrel and a lawsuit, the owner 

 was on the point of taking all the women and children from tho 

 male slaves, and selling them separately at the public auction at 

 Eio. Interest, and not any feeling of compassion, prevented this 

 act. Indeed, I do not believe the inhumanity of separating thirty 

 families, who had lived together for many years, even occurred to 

 the owner. Yet I will pledge myself, that in humanity and good 

 feeling he was superior to the common run of men. It may be said 

 there exists no limit to the blindness of interest and selfish habit. 

 I may mention one very trifling anecdote, which at the time struck 

 me more forcibly than any story of cruelty. I was crossing a ferry 

 with a negro, who was uncommonly stupid. In endeavouring to 

 make him understand, I talked loud, and made signs, in doing 

 which I passed my hand necir his face. He, I suppose, thought I 



